Financial Help for Senior Care in Nunavut

Care Is Free — But Families Still Need Financial Support

Long-term care in Nunavut carries no direct fees. The Government of Nunavut fully subsidizes residential care for all eligible residents. That is a significant advantage over every other Canadian jurisdiction, where families routinely pay $1,000 to $6,000 per month for a care bed.

But the absence of care fees does not eliminate the financial strain on families. Travel costs to visit a parent displaced to a southern facility, country food shipments, home modifications for aging in place, and the loss of homeowner-specific subsidies when a parent enters care — these indirect costs add up. Families need to know every program available to them.

Here is the complete directory.

Territorial Senior Benefits

Senior Citizen Supplementary Benefit (SCSB). Administered jointly by the Department of Family Services and the CRA. Adds $200 to $300 monthly to the federal cheque for eligible recipients. Eligibility: Nunavut resident aged 60 or older, actively receiving GIS or the Spousal Allowance. Ask Family Services whether an application or update is required; do not assume that GIS enrollment alone completes the process.

Senior Fuel Subsidy. Covers heating fuel costs for senior homeowners aged 60 and older. Households with net income up to $75,000 receive 100% reimbursement for up to 4,000 litres. Households between $75,001 and $100,000 receive 50%. Above $100,000, no subsidy. Submit the application with the previous year's Notice of Assessment to the local Income Assistance Worker before the winter heating cutoff.

Aged Incidental Allowance. $175 per month for seniors aged 60 and over who receive territorial Income Assistance. Covers personal toiletries, comfort items, and incidental expenses.

Senior Citizen and Disabled Person Tax Relief. Property tax exemptions for senior homeowners aged 65 and over. Reduces the municipal tax burden for elders living independently in their own homes.

Senior Home Repair Program. Assists with home modifications that support aging in place — accessibility renovations, safety adaptations, and structural repairs.

Federal Benefits (Retained During Care)

Canada Pension Plan (CPP). Continues in full during residential care. No portion is redirected to care costs in Nunavut.

Old Age Security (OAS). Same as CPP — fully retained. OAS payments are based on years of Canadian residency, not income.

Guaranteed Income Supplement (GIS). Retained in full. GIS provides additional monthly income to low-income OAS recipients. Critical for maintaining eligibility for the territorial SCSB.

Canada Caregiver Credit. A non-refundable federal tax credit for individuals caring for a dependent with a physical or mental impairment. Available to family caregivers who incur support costs.

Medical Expense Tax Credit. Unreimbursed medical travel expenses — flights, hotels, meals during medical travel that the government did not cover — can be claimed under this credit at tax time.

Multigenerational Home Renovation Tax Credit. 15% refundable tax credit on up to $50,000 in renovation costs to build a secondary suite for a senior family member. Designed specifically to support aging in place by enabling multigenerational housing.

Inuit-Specific Programs

Uqqujjait Innarnut Elders Support Program. Administered by Nunavut Tunngavik Inc. for eligible Inuit beneficiaries under the Nunavut Agreement born on or before December 31, 1961. Provides $250 per month with automatic annual cost-of-living adjustments effective each April 1. Applications go through NTI Community Liaison Officers.

Non-Insured Health Benefits (NIHB). A federal program for registered First Nations and Inuit people. Covers prescription drugs, dental care, vision care, medical supplies, mental health counselling, and medical transportation not covered by territorial programs. Administered by Indigenous Services Canada.

Extended Health Benefits for Non-Inuit Seniors

Extended Health Benefits (EHB) Seniors' Coverage. For non-Indigenous Nunavut residents aged 65 and over. Covers vision care, dental care, and some medical travel costs not covered by the standard territorial health plan. Application through the Department of Health.

Travel Assistance

Hope Air / Northern Health Travel Grant. For families who need subsidized travel when a parent requires specialist medical care in the south. Hope Air provides free flights for medically necessary travel for low-income Canadians. The Northern Health Travel Grant offsets travel costs not fully covered by the territorial Medical Travel Policy. Applications must be submitted within 14 days of completing the travel.

Where to Start

The number of programs can be overwhelming when your parent's care needs are escalating quickly. A benefits counselor through Benefits Wayfinder or a territorial seniors advocacy group can help review eligibility and identify the right contacts for each program.

The Nunavut Long-Term Care Costs & Subsidies Guide includes the complete eligibility criteria, application timelines, and contact information for each of these programs, organized by the stage of your parent's care transition.

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